Source: Red Sox exploring multiple options to upgrade left side of infield

According to an industry source, the Red Sox are exploring multiple options regarding an upgrade on the left side of their infield, including calling teams regarding possible trades.

The Red Sox currently have recently-recalled Brock Holt starting at third base, with Will Middlebrooks on the 15-day disabled list with a fractured index finger on his right hand.

While the Red Sox haven’t engaged in talks with agent Scott Boras about free agent Stephen Drew, the shortstop could represent an intriguing possibility if no other solution is uncovered. Some in baseball believe Boras might be waiting until after the Major League Baseball amateur draft (which ends June 7) to make a move with his client, who could sign with any team without costing draft pick compensation following the draft.

The Red Sox are currently 25th in the majors for OPS at the third base position (.592), totaling a .200 batting average at the position.

When asked about Drew on the Bradfo Show podcast (to be aired Monday), Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington said, “I think what I’ve said before I would say again, we have to evaluate every situation based on the information we have at that time. If information changes then our position may evolve and change along with it. That doesn’t mean we get every decision right, of course we don’t. But every decision we make, every position we take, is based on the information we have at that time. That’s led us to where we are now.

“Right now we know we’re right in the middle of this division. We know there are a lot of strengths on the team. We have a lot of depth, even before the 25-man roster that we might be able to count on maybe later in the year. We know we have position players that are going to hit more because that’s what they’ve always done. And we know we’ve got an area on the left field of the infield where we’re missing a player, and where we haven’t gotten the total performance that we would like to get at this point in the year. I think what all that means is that we’ll continue to look at the information we have in front of us at the time and try to make decisions accordingly. There is always an interest in improving. The default position is always let’s see how much we can get internally first, and then consider external alternatives after that.”